Camera feedback please.

[tsirider13]

Hey guys,
I am looking for a camara to take decent pictures, not profesional pics but for sure something decent.

This is what i am looking at:

Panasonic Canada - DMC-FZ18 - Lumix® Digital Still Camera

I do not have experience with cameras at all, so lets not get too technical.

What do you guys think?

Thanks for the feedback.

 

[TunaTalon]

I went through the camera evaluation exercise last spring and also selected the FZ18.
I wanted a vacation camera that didn’t need a bag full of expensive lenses to photograph an insect on a wild flower and the landscape. The FZ18 has a super zoom lens and is smaller than the old 35mm cameras. I paid about 300 bucks for the camera but the only accessory needed was a bag.

The biggest con of the camera is the low sensitivity. At ISO settings over 400 there is a lot of sensor noise. But more sensitivity means more bucks.
The camera can be set to Point and Shoot or full manual for control freaks or in between for the casual user.

I’m happy with the choice. The attached image shows the results in macro mode.

 

[tsirider13]

Have you use it to take pics of your car?
Can you post some? I want to take nice action pics while I am road racing.

I think that is where Ill use it the most.

Thanks

 

[xioca]

I'd always go slr just for the quality. I think you can get a D40 with a kit lens for about 400 now.

 

[gofer]

SLR my D40x is awesome... a 5 year old can navigate through the settings and take professional looking pictures. the D40 is 6.1mp and the D40x is 10.1mp, if your looking for something that takes quality shots, easy to use, and cheaper than a high end camera the nikon d40 is a sweet camera. check my photo album, 90% of the pictures are taken through my SLR and i bet you can guess which ones too.

 

[THE_ARTIST_]

werd i got a D40 too its awesome. i havent gotten a chance to take any pics of my car with it yet but i put up another thread in this section with some pics i took so far with it. it was expensive at 600 though.

 

[Defiant]

You have to try really hard to find a bad digital camera these days. Check the Olympus SP-570 UZ, it's the competition to the Lumix. I have the SP-550 UZ, and it does ten times what any amateur could want- and they're out there for less than $200 now. I always get cameras and computers a few generations "late". The savings more than compensates.
I fiddled with changeable lenses in SLRs in the film days, in my Olympus OM-1. The "right" lens was always in the room, or in the car, or left at home. For what I do, I'd not have anything other than a single-lens, long-zoom camera. I'm no pro, and don't pretend to be.

 

[Dsmj89]

You all beat me to the post ! dang ! Lol well i work at radioshack and i sell lots of cameras, and let me tell you the nikon d40 creams the competition from all other cameras i have tried and used.

 

[TunaTalon]

Before choosing between the FZ18 and the D40 you first need to choose between using a compact camera or a SLR.

The FZ18 is a good compact, camera and the D40 is a good SLR. As you might expect the SLR makes better pictures within the range of the lens that is installed at the time. However, the FZ18 always has the right lens installed.

Before comparing prices add to the purchase price of the D40 the cost of enough quality lenses to cover the range of the FZ18's super zoom. At least add one macro, one wide angle, and one long telephoto. I have a bag with those lenses somewhere in the house that were purchased with 1980s dollars. Today they make good paperweights.

As Defiant says, it's hard to find a bad digital camera. There is some difference in the sensor and the SLR format allows (requires?) you to use special lenses.

 

[xioca]

The FZ18 is a good compact, camera and the D40 is a good SLR.

Actually a D40 is prol one of the worst slr's around when compared to other slr's. What you meant to say is the D40 is an slr, and slr's are good.

 

[uni_gst]

Actually a D40 is prol one of the worst slr's around when compared to other slr's. What you meant to say is the D40 is an slr, and slr's are good.

nicely put.